Quality proves Superior

Charlie Longsdon's Superior Quality clung on in a thrilling finish to the Albert Bartlett Scottish Trial at Musselburgh.

Making his first appearance since winning a Warwick maiden hurdle in early December on his first start since joining Longsdon from Ireland, the 10/1 chance was settled towards the rear of the six-runner field by Noel Fehily for much of the extended three-mile journey.

He began to take closer order after jumping the third from home and travelled smoothly to the lead as he jumped the final obstacle.

James Ewart-trained course winner Lord Wishes dug in for pressure on the run-in but although he was finishing the stronger of the pair, Superior Quality held on by half a length.

Sky Bet and Paddy Power make the winner 25/1 (from 50s and 66s) for the Albert Bartlett itself at Cheltenham in March.

Fehily said: "He travelled very well at Warwick the last day and he's a very good jumper. He'll make a lovely chaser.

"Charlie has always liked him a lot and I don't think he'll be surprised he's won. He saw the trip out well and appreciated the better ground.

"I was in front soon enough and I think he was just idling at the finish. Hopefully he's still improving and I think he's entitled to have a go at it (the Albert Bartlett)."

Odds-on favourite Tap Night was a well-beaten last of four as Viva Colonia claimed the Scottish Future Champions Novices' Chase for Brian Ellison and Danny Cook.

Lucinda Russell's Tap Night had made an impressive debut over fences at Ayr after being snapped up by leading owner JP McManus and was just 4/7 to make it two from two under Barry Geraghty.

With the the field standing still for several seconds after the tapes went up, Attaglance was eventually sent to the lead and set only a moderate pace for much of the race.

All four runners were pretty much in a line jumping the second-last and the two-and-a-half mile contest developed into a sprint from that point.

Viva Colonia (9/2) and Desert Cry quickened up best, with the former prevailing by half a length.

Attaglance ran much his best races over fences to date, just three-quarters of a length further away in third, but Tap Night was a big disappointment and was pushed out to 50/1 for the Arkle and 33/1 from 16s for the Jewson Novices' Chase by Sky Bet.

Paddy Power cut Viva Colonia to 16/1 from 20/1 for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, while Desert Cry was also clipped to 20/1 from 25s.

Ellison said: "We'll probably keep him fresh and go there (Grand Annual). He's a very good horse."

Ed de Giles was celebrating after Prince Of Dreams (13/2) landed a good prize in the John Smith's Scottish Champion Chase, challenging three out and sealing matters with a huge jump at the last.

De Giles said: "That was fantastic. He deserved it. He'd been unlucky the last couple of times.

"He fell at the last at Warwick when he may, or may not, have won. Then he was second at Leicester to a horse (Arthur's Pass) that won again earlier in the week.

"I felt with him that he travels so well that a lighter weight might suit him (in a better race) so I thought we'd pitch him in. I'm chuffed to bits for the horse, and the owners have been so patient.

"We won't run him again for at least three weeks. I'd been moaning about the handicapper so I think I'll keep quiet and let him do his business."

Brick Red was another winner for Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman in the John Smith's Scottish County Hurdle.

Running in the colours of emerging Gold Cup contender Katenko, who looks set to run next in the Racing Plus Chase, the 5/2 favourite ran on strongly to beat Constant Contact by three and a quarter lengths.

Paul Nicholls runners are a rare sight at the Edinburgh track but he followed up the earlier success of Sametegal as Harry Derham and the well-backed Salubrious (7/4 favourite) took the concluding John O'Mailley 80th Birthday Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.